it's time to go back Dalian

欢乐时光过得快
又是时候讲拜拜

是的，该准备回去了。
周六晚上的飞机，现在已经开始觉得不舍了
再见阿姆斯特丹，如果可以的话，再见

backpack traveling, some tips .. if you think it is ;-)

I don't have much experience in backpack traveling, especially to a place that > 1 day. So, I am really still beginner in traveling by backpack, ALONE!

Paris, I stay in a cheap hotel, but yet it still a private room equip with bath room.
Prague, first time stay in the international hostel

So, my 'experience' or some suggestion if you would like to know:
1. hostel
- bring a pair of slipper, so that can go in the public wash room
- be prepare the shower place will just has the 'curtain', not door that you can lock
- shower place really small, so, no place to hang the cloth, has to think a way to overcome this, otherwise you may be walk out from shower place NAKED, and there might be others people in the wash room :p
- usually there is public luggage where we can leave the thing there, even after check-out. it should be free, but don't put valuable thing there, instead, we can put those valuable thing at the reception area. i am not very well prepare for back pack, my last trip to Prague, I used a plastic bag to put my cloths (please don't laugh at my stupid behavior). I left it to the public luggage area, when I go back to collect it, it's GONE!! BUT, it's actually the receptionist had help me to put it to his place, and tell me that it is dangerous to just leave plastic bag like that. I feel so shame on this... I know that is stupid thing to do, but I just too 'giam siap' to buy a better bag for the short trip this round.. but as you see, the people in hostel (I think especially the international hostel) is very honest, and they try to keep good name, so, no worry to stay at those place

2. map
- this is very important 'tool' to travel around, without map, we just like blind
- i always try to get it at the information center after arrived at the destination, which usually is free, but even though if i cannot find it, then i will buy one. spending money is always my last choice

3. travel ticket
- always try to get those unlimited access, for e.g. day ticket, 3 day ticket and etc. simply because I am not familiar with the transportation route, linkage and etc. Buying ticket each hop on the public transport, might ends up cost me more money

4. planning before trip
- i do not plan too much on my trip actually, at most i will checks about the type of ticket, just as what i told in previous point ;)
- then maybe also checks out the wiki travel to have some idea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do walk a looooot during my trip, sometimes it is more than 12 hours!
Why walk so long?
- i am quite stupid in reading map, i couldn't find the direction easily, sometimes just keep turning around here and there
- i always worry i might not have enough time to go to all the attraction points in the map, so, i try to go as much as possible in each day. if there is still time before leaving the city, usually i will just hop into bus, and see where the bus taking me to, so just really no idea what will be ahead me :p

I am type of explore while walking. With the map, and the day trip ticket, then it is like treasure hunting game. Then this feeling come into my mind while i going around:
- ah, finally i found this place
- i saw that building
- oh, it's the other corner
- shit, wrong direction again'

my 'philosophy' in traveling is that:
Getting LOST is part of the FUN, so, don't be scare, just make sure we have enough money for transportation ;)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
But every person has different preference in how to plan the trip. So my tips may not be applicable for you.
Some feel more secure if everything is known before hand
Some prefer very cozy place to stay
Some said they must go here and there, do this and that

There is nothing wrong in any of this preference, I think the most important thing is we know what is our weakness, we know what we looking for, then we prepare for it. It is always give and take, if our choice has to pay with $, then just pay it. just make sure we enjoy it after the spending
计较太多，最后可能会那里也去不了，什么都不值得做

i think so far, i do enjoy travel alone.
travel with friends would be fun as well, and most important, will feel more secure since there is people accompany us. But in this case, we have to consider other choice/feeling, and sometimes it just not what you actually really like to do.
again, this is take and give, choose the way you like. keep moving, enjoy!

Back from Prague

Am back to Amsterdam this morning.
How I feel about it? Hmmm.....

1. Prague is big city, this especially true when I been in Amsterdam for few weeks, I just feel Prague is much bigger than Amsterdam

2. Traveling in Prague is very easy, it is really very tourist friendly. You can get free map in the tourist information, the metro line is very very simple and clear. I did not went to wrong platform at all in Prague, this is the first time I move very smooth by public transport in a new city

3. A lot of Gothic building, it is really amazing view both in day and night. Blue sky as the background, light up at night, both give different kind of feeling, you will not feeling bored with any of it

4. Stay in the hostel. I was walking the whole day when I get to Prague around 10 a.m. Once I found the hostel, put my luggage there (not even check-in yet), then I start explore the city. Because I want to capture night view, I only back to hostel around 11 p.m. Surprising all went to beds already.... It is clean, no disgusting smell, just that I have some problem with the bathroom.. problem to hang my cloth when I taking bath. But luckily all went beds, I am the only one using the whole wash room that time, so, I do manage to take good bath. But if you ask if I still choose to stay in hostel, I think yes, just that maybe I may pay more for the private bathroom... I don't know.. let's see next time ;)

5. Travel by train, which take more than 13 hours each way. I think it's OK, met stranger, and there is a Dutch couple, they cycle from Amsterdam to Prague all the way! It took them 10 days, each day cycle from 9 - 5 p.m. See how's 'guai lou' live their life!

Photo upload would take a bit time, I am now uploading to the Facebook, but to 163.com, I usually choose the best quality to upload, and this take very long time, so, be patient ;)

Heading to Prague, Czech Republic @ 21/5/09 !

I booked my hostel, and bought the train ticket to Prague on next Thursday!
This trip was a bit out of expectation, because Prague is quite far from Amsterdam, will take 14 hrs by train, so if go on the normal weekend, I think it would be too rush and not nice to be there.

On last Friday, I got a good news that next Thu. and Fri are public holiday in NL. So, this idea come into my mind again. I cannot do much comparison of price and etc. but what I did just go to the train station, ask for information, pay it, come back book hostel, everything was settle in less than 4 hours. In such short time, real budget travel doesn't seems to be realistic. So, better just don't compare, but just do it.

I will go Prague alone, I book a bed in 6 beds dorm at a Youth Hostel.
The truth feeling when I got the ticket on my hand is... a bit worry and a bit exciting. This is the feel I like and the feel that push me to go for my own trip every time. I don't have any Prague map with me now, I don't know why I choose that city, I don't know what am I expecting to see there.. but I take all these as an adventure. Then I will just follow the wind when I reach to a stranger city, I enjoy this kind of feeling always!

So, just wait and let me share my photo when I'm back ;)

A tired day trip to De Hoge Veluwe National Park

Been to the De Hoge Veluwe National Park as planned.
Amsterdam - Apeldoorn - De Hoge Veluwe National Park

Not too convenient to access this place, got to change train at different platform, then wait for the bus that run only once a hour to the park. The bus station is sooo quiet, only 4 people included me are waiting for the bus to the national park, really bad business.

But surprising, the park itself is not so quiet. There are a lot of natural lover that drive to the park for the weekend. It seems like very common family place, and those while live lover photo shooting place.

I had been cycle for 5 hours today non-stop!! was so tired and keep thinking about my dinner when the time approaching 6 p.m. I was hoping I can just 'fly' back :p

After today, I think I enjoy the old cities building visit much more than this natural adventure trip. It cost me quite a lot also, total is 30 euro, another 10++ euro, I may able to made a trip to Brussel already!!

But it's really an experience, never try never know..
oh.. btw, the brochure mentioned it should has Red Deer, Mouflon, and Wild Boar, but I only can hear the bird singing, oh.. and a squirrel, other than this, NO animal show their face to me at all!!

And, next is the National Park De Hoge Veluwe

I wasted a day due to my tight is still feeling very pain.

I hope it will be going alright by tomorrow, because I really dun want to waste the weekend!

Plan to go to the national park - National Park De Hoge Veluwe, to enjoy the natural view in this small country. It's big park, and expected will cycle around it, it could be few hours cycle to visit the whole park. I really dun know what will happen after that.. can i still walk after that? what will happen on Monday if that is so painful...i do worry.. but let's see, and let's hope nothing wrong happen :p

back to jog .. after 2 yrs!

After almost 2 years, finally I did jog yesterday.
The good thing here is that the day is very long, it's only get dark around 9.30 p.m.
So it's still not too late to give it a try even though it's already 8 p.m!
In fact there are a lot of people jogging there in the park.
So, I am not alone :)
And amazingly I did able to jog about 45 mins, this is much better than what I thought how far I can gp. Well, it is turtle speed, but I do feel good after that, it made we sweat (imagine how can we get sweat in a place with less than 15 degree!)

But... my tight is very pain today :(. I am now worry will this affect my weekend trip around the city or not.. I might have to waste my weekend by just stay in the apartment..

oo.. btw, management here had asked me to extends my stay till 30/5, so, it's another 3 weeks to be enjoy here!

Heading to Antwerp, Belgium tommorrow!

After about 2 weeks stay in the apartment, last night I only realize there is a flat TV hanging in the wall in my room, means there are 2 TVs in the apt. 1 in the living area, 1 in the bed room... it's really very busy during the weekday here, it's really work - dinner - continue work in the apt.

But, I think I still pamper myself during weekend :)
Usually a day trip on Saturday, and a loooooooooonnnnng sleep on Sunday so that I can be fully charge for the coming Monday ;)

So, tomorrow I am going to the Antwerp, Belgium.
2 hours train from Amsterdamn, and why this city instead of Brussel?
The Wiki travel mentioned that Brussel only has small square, with 4 adjacent of building that preserved the historical building, while Antwerp has more. Also, it is nearer to Amsterdam, only 2 hrs by train as compare to Brussel that need 3 hrs.
I am a lazy buddy, can sleep more, then I will always sleep more :D

Keukenholf...finally I had been there

Netherlands visit is never complete without the windmill and tulips!
I don't know if other agree with me, but this is what in my mind.

The previous 2 trips to Amsterdam is during the Autumn and Winter, don't have a chance to visit this world's famous park, and today, I finally been there, cycling around the tulip field, and enjoy the flower parade, and the the bus fare is FREE today!!!

Keukenholf itself is a tulip park, where the wonderful flower exhibition is located. Due to time constraint, I did not went into this park today. I took bus from the Schiphol airport to Keukenholf, unbelieveable I see long queue there. Waited there for 30 mins. then get on the bus, it take about 45 mins to reach the park, and again i see loooonnnng queue there to buy the park entrance ticket. By that time, it is already 12 p.m. so I decided not to go in the park, but rent a bike to cycle around instead.

In this area, beside the park, there are a lot of bulb-growing fields where we can see the tulips, just like padi fields, it is wide and big! Picture is worth than thousand words, just enjoy the photos @ 163 and also Facebook!

I feel I am really lucky sometimes, this Amsterdam trip is really out of my expectation. Really thanks a lot for the all people and all thing that 'made' this chance for me..

Back to Dalian from Amsterdam

2 weeks passed, i'm back to Dalian today. It take me abt 16 hours to travel from Ams to Dalian (flight time + waiting time), long long flight...

the only thing i can say 'interesting' about this trip is that, i got a chance to cycling around the city, just like the people there! the city center very small, 1 hr is more than enough, and amazing thing is.. you wont' feel tired! there is no climbing up and down.. just straight.. and you will feel cold with your hand and face, but body is very warm (or even feel a bit sweating), it is very shiok feeling ;)
Again... some photos to share

park near to the apartmentpark at eveningIamsterdam - the landmarkpeace 'demostration' for no abortion!i am cycling with this bikethe road captured while cycling

Traditional Dutch food bistro

The colleague in NL had treat 3 of us from China to one of the bistro located in the city area. This bistro is famous as with it's great environment, and the local food they serve.

I ordered the stamppot, with beef

And I am the only lady in the table, so I get this special treat from the bistro owner, sing with the dick...oppss.... no no.. sing with the pepper shaker made in Chinese, with nice picture on it :D, welcome to Amsterdam!

燈燈燈凳 ...咪眨眼啊哪

We have a great evening there, I really like this bistro style a lot. Where you can sing, laugh, talk with friends, and the owner never show you a face that you should leave after your meal. I actually hope I can have a small business like this, a place that can give people this kind of feeling

Landed in Ams

Landed at Amsterdam after 10 hours flight from Beijing, and check-in to a very nice apartment.

My room is at 3rd floor, I carry my luggage all along the stair case (very small foot steps) from the ground floor, and when reach my room, I found there is actually a lift!! I am really so stupid

And I had just remember that I forgot to bring my short pant.. will be very uncomfortable to sleep with jeans (i know you may suggest me not to wear anything, but i am not used to it woh.. feeling very 'unsecured'), and feeling sore-throat, hope it won't get worst, i must drink more and more water

Leaving Amsterdam

Time flies... this is the day I will leave Amsterdam, and go back to Dalian.
What has different the 1st day and the last day while I am here as a part-time visitor? The trees is something obvious

All leaf gone on the day I leave

Trees on the day I came

So, I hope nobody head will like those trees, dropping all their hairs :D

The flight is very late, 21:25 PM, I checked-out at 12:00 PM, leave my luggage in the hotel, and have last walk to the city center again.

This time, I tried their local special fast food shop, Febo, where selling burger, fries, and kroket. Kroket is kind of snack that is special in Holland, which can be filled by cheese(nice), beef(nice), 'young' beef(nice), chicken(dun like this, meat too hard for me), rice(so so) and etc. Oh, btw, nasi in Holland is actually our nasi goreng. It's a self service concept shop, just put in coin, and grab your kroket from the 'wall'. Most kroket cost 1.20 euro, burger is 2++ euro

The Febo shop

Kroket selling on a 'wall'

Then finally, go to airport much earlier, arrive there by 18:00 PM, because want to refund my purchase here. If you buy something cost > 50 euro at 1 day in 1 shop, you can ask them to issue you the global refund cheque, and refund your money before check in. Although mine only can refund few euro, but it's still money right :p

The airport is decorated nicely with the X'mas trees and light, just shoot some, in fact only 2 :D

Madurodam - Holland in Miniature

Again, another college has bring me together with his kids to visit the Madurodam, where you can see the whole Holland in a mini park. If you had went ShenZhen 'Windows of the World' 世界之窗, this of course is so small as compare to that.
It's a bad weather day, shower by the rain, cold wind. But I do enjoy it very much also, they make it so real, and I even able to 'visit' the tulips garden although it's not the season now (fake one lah) :p

Click this to see all photos in Amsterdam

Becareful!! A spy is shooting our photo!!

Museum Plein

The place name itself told that, this is an area where the museums are located. Among them, the Van Gogh museum is the most famous (Van Gogh is a Dutch, but he get famous in Paris), and the other one - Rijksmuseum, I think this is their national museum. I didn't visit any of them, bcoz the entrance fee is expensive, and I am not really know how to appreciate art as well. Walking in the park near by is much better choice for me ;)
Oh ya.... there is a Diamond museum there which is free entrance, so, I walk in to have a look. Nothing much, just a crown and 'tongkat', I dunno what is this call in English. You can buy diamond from them directly, they have private room upstairs to serve you.

The Van Gogh museum

The Rijksmuseum museum

The park near by, with a group of girls jumping on a 'plate' that will make sound 'ding ding ding'

Rijksmuseum view from the park

Central area in Amsterdam - Day vs Night

When a place is decorate probably with light, night view always look much better than day view.
I was impress at the first time when go to the center area again at night, it is beautiful!

Night view

Day view

The DeBiJenkorf department store. In London it is Harrod, in Amsterdam, it is DeBiJenkorf

Inside a street

A 'far' view for the street

Although my shooting skill increase a lot, but I think it's still too far from professional shooting level, especially for the night view :D

Wind mill 'show'

I shall be grateful that the colleagues here are very friendly and easy going.
When I asked them where I can see some wind mill, I have a surprising response: "Let me bring you there, the biggest in the town!".

So, I went to this place - Zaanse Schans. There are wind mills, cheese making shop, the clog (wooden shoes) house, the Dutch traditional house, which look far 'shorter' than and smaller as compare to now.

Just show some photo here first.. more story to be tell later..it is late now.. I shall be going home...

Just some wind mill

A view from a bridge

A typical Dutch town opposite of wind mill area

A traditional house, 小桥流水人家

One day, when I am in the lift...

How come they never 'share' the height with me??

When Dutch say 'Next Saturday' in English to you

An interesting with this phase - Next Saturday.
For us, it is next week Saturday.

But for some Dutch, 'Next Saturday' = 'Coming Saturday'. For e.g.,
On Wednesday, if they told you 'Let's meet next Saturday', this actually means it is 3 days later, the coming Saturday.

My college told this was due to their Dutch language has no direct translation to 'coming Saturday', and they knew it is different from what the rest of worlds means by 'Next Saturday'.

The Dutch guy that though 'Next Saturday' = 'Coming Saturday' wasn't realize about that different. We almost make a 'date' on wrong day :p

So, next time if you met a Dutch people, and have any appointment on 'Next Saturday', just ask to confirm the date.

It is always good to be double verify :p. I learn this recently in many incidence happen to me.

Now I really realize in Amsterdam

First night while coming back from office, was get lost to the way back to the hotel. I always block by the river that make me cannot simply make a turn to the direction I want!
Imagine a night, raining, strong wind, and lost in a strange city... although I get a lengzai ask for the direction, but he also doesn't point me the right way at first time. Anyway, finally I able to figured out that I have to find a 'bridge' to cross that river, and this 'brige' = metro station itself :p.
Attached a drawing I made, see if you can understand my route while try to get back home that night :D

Lost on way back to hotel